gymbo coat?or splurge on lands end?

[kcromley]

I"m hoping my budget friends can advise. I need a ski parka/bibs for my youngest and could use my gymbucks for a gymboree set, but have never bought their coats before and am unsure if they are warm enough. Or I could just go with lands end, as in the past. Any experience with gymboree outwear?

 

[Fall1]

I love Gymboree, but I don't love their coats. I think of them as decorative more than warm. I love Children's Place, Lands End or LL Bean for winter coats.

 

[kcromley]

thank you for the quick reply!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I second L.L. Bean for coats, and we love Land's End too for kids coats and boots.

 

[3boymthr]

I have gymbo jackets for spring and think they are warm enough for that but don't really care for their winter parkas.

If you are thinking of splurging I'd go for Columbia. I buy on sale and can usually re-sell them on e-bay for what I paid for them or more. One I bought for $7 (it was on sale for $25 then a coupon for 30% and a reward certificate). I sold it for $35 after it had been worn for 4 years by two different kids (and yes I noted this).

 

[griergirl2]

I don't know what size you're looking for, but remember to check out LL Bean and Land's Ends sale/overstock sections. They often have great deals to be had in there. I got my DD a set for next winter for a fantastic price at Land's End.

 

[Ashlander]

I just went to a LL Bean outlet and bought each of my children the Wildcat Parka (retails for $79) for $36. Each jacket has a seperate fleece jacket that is the liner. I was so excited to get 2 jackets that are good quality for only $36. I always buy a little big so I can get a year or two out of winter coats. We live in Virginia so we don't have very many days where a heavy winter jacket is needed.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I'm a Lands End or LL Bean mom for my kids coats and if at any time you are not satisfied with your purchase you can return it for a full credit. I also try to order a size bigger and get two years out of it. One year we had an LL Bean coat and on year two at the send of the season the hood seam split and they can me a store credit and I bought the next size us for the next year, so I got four years out of one year's purchase.

Both LL Bean and Lands End both have outlet or clearance sections, try there because sometimes you can get good prices.

 

[left210]

I just got an email that if you buy Lands End outerwear today only it is 30% off with free shipping. Code OUTERWEAR30, pin 00004111 - only good for Oct. 2nd.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Another thought - try your local used clothing store. They often have most of these brands mentioned. I usually get our winter jackets for under $10. ALL name brand - Columbia, Land's End, or LL Bean.

 

[Fall1]

I just bought 2 Children's Place jackets for 30% off and then used a coupon on top of that yesterday. The lining is a fleece jacket that can be zipped out and it has a detachable hood. DS and DD had them last Winter too and I loved them.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I just bought 2 Children's Place jackets for 30% off and then used a coupon on top of that yesterday. The lining is a fleece jacket that can be zipped out and it has a detachable hood. DS and DD had them last Winter too and I loved them.

I'm actually going to agree... TCP doesn't always have the best clothes, but their outerwear is great. I actually just bought a *used* TCP jacket on ebay to replace the one DD outgrew. I liked it THAT much, and it kept DD toasty.

 

[buzz5985]

My DS ski's and has found that the Columbia coats are the warmest. We usually can buy them on sale at Kohls, never normally pay more than $30 for one.

 

[englishteacha]

I can't speak for kids coats personally, but my LL Bean winter coat is going on 5 years and it still looks new and is very warm. I also have a Land's End down coat that is amazingly warm, but it's too big for me and I look like the staypuf marshmallow woman when I wear it. (It was a gift bought on major clearance by a Sears employee) I keep it for those -30º days we sometimes get here in Maine. When it's -30, you don't care how ridiculous you look!

My sister-in-law always buys my niece and nephew's coats through Land's End or LL Bean, and they've held up wonderfully.

 

[princess momma]

I always buy Lands End winter gear for my kids. We can squeeze a couple years wear out of the coats. They have great customer service, too. We had a zipper problem with a coat once and they sent me a new one with a prepaid package to return the old one. No hassle at all.

 

[ceecee]

Gymboree coats were cute, but not as durable and warm, if you're only getting one coat make it Lands End or LL Bean. I have always been able to get Lands End on sale or with free shipping and they last forever.

 

[shelly3girls]

We ski a decent amount and from experience I can say that Land's End, LL Bean and columbia are the best. Of course, North face is great too but very pricey. I usually find LE on sale at Sear's. As soon as it starts to get cold they really start marking down the jackets.

 

[DISdreamin']

I have tried TCP for spring coats for both kids a couple years ago, and BOTH fell apart. The stitching came out of the lining at the hem and where the sleeves end. I took them back, but they no longer had anything in the sizes I needed, so I ended up having my mom sew them for me to get through the season. Never bought any clothing from that store after that season, as I also had pants and shirts with issues. Just seemed cheaply made. I now do Gymbo for clothing.

When it come to outerwear, though, LL Bean all the way. This year will be my kids third year in the same coats, although I will have to replace them at some point this winter (they're getting a tad snug). I'll hit the outlet once the mad fall rush is over.

Anyways, what size are you talking about for parka and snowpants? I find the little kid sizes with the growth tucks last a loooong time!

 

[santa's surpriz]

My DS ski's and has found that the Columbia coats are the warmest. We usually can buy them on sale at Kohls, never normally pay more than $30 for one.

I second Columbia, backcoutry.com has some great deals in their outlet right now, DD's will be delivered on Monday. I also discovered that you can use your Dick's scorecard on North Face, which coupons never include..."scored" a deal one for myself.

 

[kcromley]

thanks for all the input; I ended up ordering from lands end during their sale. I appreciate all the advice!